The Difference Between Interior and Exterior Shutters: Guide for Honolulu Homeowners

July 05, 2017

Honolulu Hawaii exterior and interior shutters

Plantation shutters work almost anywhere – in any Honolulu house, in any room, on any size window, and even outside– and that’s where some homeowners might get confused.

Exterior and interior shutters are extremely different products, and if you’re flying blind, you can spend a lot of time or money shopping around for a product that isn’t what you need. Here is what you should know.

Exterior Shutters

First, we need to state that Sunburst Shutters Honolulu does not make or deal in exterior home shutters. Instead, our area of expertise is in stylish interior shutters for the home.

Exterior shutters usually just do one of two things: either they’re purely for decoration as an accent to your home’s siding, or they’re reinforced “hurricane shutters,” built to protect your windows from damage during harsh storms.

Decorative exterior shutters typically look fantastic on very particular home styles, such as more rustic homes as well as Mediterranean houses. Hurricane shutters are somewhat rare outside of a few parts of the country, and many types don’t even look like normal shutters, but rather look like large metal sheets.

Exterior shutters in Mediterranean home.

As for those outdoor shutters that do open and shut on your window, they don’t tend to have a lot of functionality. They can’t make a seal to block heat and their louvers (if they exist) usually can’t be adjusted. Aside from that, exterior shutters can serve to give a splash of color that looks fantastic on your home.

Look Into Exterior Shutters If:

You want to guard your windows from severe storm damage.
You want to add a splash of color to the outside of your house.
You have adequate space around your windows to install exterior shutters.

Interior Shutters

Interior shutters are our forte, and they’re the ultimate window covering in combining looks and practicality. Installed directly in or above your window jamb, interior shutters become a piece of your home the moment they’re installed. And unlike exterior shutters, interior shutters can mount on any window, anywhere in your home.

The style that premier plantation shutters can add to your home is unrivaled, and shutters are incredibly multifaceted. Indoor shutters can beautifully accent any style of home; from historic Craftsman homes to ultra-modern condos, and have an array of colors, textures, and frame options to fit your taste.

Plantation shutters in Honolulu bedroom.

On the practical side, plantation shutters might be the most effective window covering. Polywood plantation shutters in Honolulu block heat better than any other window treatment on the market, making sure your house is as comfortable as possible. The tilting louvers on a set of plantation shutters also let you have a full spectrum of lighting options, something that shades and drapes can’t do.

Think about interior shutters if:

You need the maximum control of your home’s lighting, home temperature, and energy-efficiency.
You need a versatile, long-lasting window treatment.
You want to add visual interest to the inside of your home, and color match your existing inside trim.

Sunburst is Your Interior Shutter Expert

It’s likely, if you want the protection, style, and lastingness of shutters, you want interior plantation shutters. Sunburst can help with that. Call our team at 808-797-2004 today and schedule your free in-home estimate.

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